All About Apis Mellifica—The Stinging Homeopathic Medicine

In this guest blog, American homeopath, educator of families on how to use homeopathy, and mom Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) shares her tips on how to use one of the most popular homeopathic single medicines, Apis mellifica. For more tips, tricks and secrets on getting and staying healthy, as well as articles, upcoming seminars and events on homeopathy, visit www.JoetteCalabrese.com.

Imagine having a non-drowsy medicine that will relieve the pain, swelling and even danger caused by a bee sting. What if a medicine could do all that and cost less than $20? Does it seem too good to be true? Welcome to the world of homeopathy—a world of infinite capabilities to heal, soothe and comfort the ailments of bee stings and the like.

Apis mellifica, otherwise known as Apis, is made from a honeybee. In an FDA-regulated homeopathic pharmacy, a honeybee is crushed, added to alcohol, and then diluted so many times the offending aspect of the bee venom is removed, leaving only the curative agent. After this procedure, it becomes a powerful medicine for an actual honeybee sting and for ailments that have similar symptoms.

Swelling, watery-filled localized areas of redness and inflammation are the hallmark of Apis. The affected area has a puffy appearance and sometimes looks like bags of water under the skin. This is not unlike the edema produced by allergic reactions. More often than not, it occurs under the eyes and is sometimes accompanied by hives. When an eye is nearly shut with swelling, Apis is probably the correct medicine. Hence, the most common conditions Apiswill relieve are eye infections such as conjunctivitis and styes, sore throats, hives, stings from insects, and urinary tract infections.

Let me offer an example. My aunt, who had been prone to styes in her twenties, was suddenly revisited in her 70s by this painful and cumbersome malady. Her doctor gave her an antibiotic that brought down the swelling and pain in short order. This was the method used for the first, second and third ones, but by the fourth outbreak, only months later, she called me. As usual, her eye was quite swollen and red, but she reported that each outbreak was becoming increasingly more painful. She described the pain as stinging and that was all that was needed for me to choose Apis30C. She took this honey of a remedy and reported a few days later the intensity of the pain diminished enough to allow her to read by the following morning. Two days later, there was still some puffiness and sensitivity, but the worst was past. This occurred over a decade ago, and there has been no return of her problem.

When pain is eased by cold applications to the troubled area and when warmth causes increased distress, it’s also most likely a call for Apis. When a sore throat is the problem, other good clues are a desire for a cold drink and aversion to or pain from a warm drink. The Apis sufferer cannot tolerate warmth from the sun or a warm room. When you observe a swollen uvula or tonsils, Apis should be considered. Despite the water-filled appearance of Apis, the sufferer is not thirsty. This contradiction is useful when a differential between two homeopathic remedies is perplexing. Sensitive skin where hives have erupted also indicates the need for Apis. The physical symptoms are sometimes accompanied byweepy sadness and irritability. A fright, “stinging” jealousy, anger or disappointment often cause a need for Apis on both a physical and emotional level.

So the next time you experience a stinging swelling with heat on the skin, in the throat, in the urinary tract or in the eye, think homeopathy and think Apis, the honeybee. You may find yourself buzzing with enthusiasm.

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Hello thank you for your nice post. My husband was recommended by one homeopath to use Apis Mellifica among other homeopathic remedies for sinusitis, some kind of allergy in this sinuses area.. Would you normally recomend it for sinusitis? Thank you. Ana

A CK is the same as a K dilution. CK dilutions are available on Amazon. I consulted with our pharmacist and he is not familiar with a j dilution, perhaps this is a nickname for a dilution found in another country.

Hi! I am a homeopathy remedy user for 32 years now 78 yrs. Personally in Charleston South Carolina while walking on the woods, some insect bitten me. The bite is on the right foot heel just nearer to bone. Since a traveller, medical aide given to me in Charleston. But it is not healing yet after 3 months. Homeopath in Ottawa Canada recommends Apis Mellica to nullify the effect of sting of the insect. What do you recommend to cure this condition so that I can wear my sock and shoe? I was given anti biotics by family doctor but no good so far. I rly totally on Homeopathy remedy. Would you pl help me thanks
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Thank you for your question. While we do not have topicals that address this specific question, some of our single medicines (oral pellets) can address some of these issues. For example, Histaminum relieves symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever, hives or urticaria. Refer to our Boiron Medicine Finder on http://www.boironusa.com for more information.

Thank you for your question, Mindy. Most single homeopathic medicines like Apis are available in different dilutions. The letter indicates which dilution process was chosen, while the number indicates how many times that dilution process was used, and consequently, which symptoms the medicine is meant to treat. Low dilutions, such as 6C, will relieve local symptoms— symptom you can point a finger at (i.e., an insect bite or bruise). High dilutions, such as 30C, will relieve general symptoms—more than one symptom in more than one location with possible behavioral or emotional symptoms (i.e., a very high fever and chills, accompanied by agitation or sleeplessness). If a person has the right medicine, no matter what the dilution, he or she will see a lessening of symptoms. For most medicines, choosing the right dilution is merely fine tuning. It may be helpful for you to use our Boiron Medicine Finder at http://www.BoironUSA.com to decide which dilution is best.

Thank you for your question, Landie. Our pharmacist recommends that five pellets of Apis mellifica be taken before bedtime if drinking cold liquids improves his condition. If cold does not improve it, then five pellets of Belladonna 6C is recommended before bedtime. He also recommends that your son sleep on his side or belly for better comfort.

My 11 year old had swimmers ear, which turned into a middle ear infection. The doctor prescribed amoxicillin. On the last day of treatment ( the tenth day), my son developed horrible hives from head to toe. A few hours later, his body swelled. He developed pain and cannot walk a lot of the time. His hives are now gone, but the pain has lasted a week so far. The pain travels. Sometimes it’s in his right leg, the next day it’s in his left leg. A few hours later, it could be his arms, then his jaw, then his feet, and a day later, back to his legs. The past two nights, he had a high fever. The worst of it is at night. Sometimes he can’t even walk. The doctor doesn’t seem to care, because they can’t see his pain and it’s not bothering them.

What can I give him to help his pain? It might be getting better on its own, but it’s happening very slowly.

Also, if he ever comes into contact with another allergen, he may need an epi pen. Is there an alternative to that as well?

As a manufacturer, we offer over-the-counter medicines with clear indications for acute conditions that can be safely relieved with self-medication. Each medicine is labeled with the most common acute condition it relieves. However, health care professionals may instruct their patients to use the medicine for other conditions not listed on the label.

Homeopathic treatments for chronic conditions are very specific to each patient. There may be a homeopathic treatment that addresses your condition, but we recommend consulting a practitioner knowledgeable in homeopathy. If you do not have a practitioner, please contact the National Center for Homeopathy at 703-506-7667or visit http://www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any further questions. Thank you.

Apis mellifica 30C will work fine: take 5 pellets every 20 minutes and decrease with improvement. Take Histaminum 30C as well (5 pellets three times a day) to decrease the allergic reaction.

If you know there are mosquitoes around, you can take 5 pellets of ledum palustre 6C every hour or so: it doesn’t prevent the bites, but decreases the reaction. Use a repellant as well: there are very good organic ones.

Apis mellifica 6C and above is far too diluted to cause any harm, even in an allergic person. Use a 30C dilution, which tends to work faster. Apis works fast but doesn’t last long: take it frequently at first (every 15-20 minutes) and decrease the frequency with improvement.